Parliament

Overview of Parliamentarism

An overview of parliamentarism in general, the Westminster system, the Canadian parliamentary system and the differences between Parliament and government.

Functions of Parliament

Like all Westminster parliamentary democracies, the Canadian Parliament performs a number of important functions. Foremost among these are the ability to make and break governments, to represent the electorate, to legislate, to monitor and scrutinise government activities and the expenditure of public money, and to be a forum for debate and the expresssion of grievances.

The House of Commons

The House of Commons is the lower house of the Canadian Parliament. Currently composed of 308 representatives elected from single-member constituencies, the House decides which party shall govern and is the focal point of political debate and conflict.

The Senate

The Canadian Senate is unelected and a point of growing debate in Canada. Many Canadians favour reforming or abolishing what they see as an increasing arcane and pointless upper house.

The Speaker

The Speaker is the presiding office of the House of Commons, chosen from among the MPs by the MPs, and usually from the governing party.

The Parliamentary Cycle

A Parliament is made up of one or more sessions. A session can last a few days or several years. It ends when it is prorogued by the Governor General, at the request of the Prime Minister. A Parliament comes to an end when the Prime Minister asks the Governor General to dissolve it and call a general election.

Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary procedure is often a mystery to the casual observer. Many arcane rituals and processes are followed every day. Curiously-named people officiate. The rules seem to be constantly under challenge from members.

Legislation

How is legislation passed through Parliament?

Question Period

The daily Question Period is the most well-known of parliamentary procedures.

Parliamentary Committees

Much of the work of the Parliament is done in its Committees. These committees are composed of government backbenchers and members of the Opposition and other parties. Committees are either permanent (Standing), or temporary (Select). Some Committees are derived from the House or Senate alone, while others have members from both houses (Joint).

Royal Commissions

Royal Commissions are an extraordinary policy instrument that governments usually resort to when met with extraordinary policy challenges.

Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of everything that is said in Parliament. It is now available on the Internet.

The Opposition

The Opposition is the party or parties with the second largest number of seats in the House of Commons. The Opposition Leader is the nation's alternative prime minister. The Opposition's responsibilities include highlighting government mistakes and proposing alternative policies.

Private Members

Private members, or backbenchers, are those MPs who are neither ministers nor shadow ministers. Their main task is to represent their electorates and support their party in parliamentary debates and votes. Often dismissed as of lesser importance than frontbenchers, the ordinary Private Member is also at the electoral frontline.

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Related Sites

• Welcome to the Parliament of Canada
• Guide to the House of Commons (PDF)
• House of Commons Procedure
• Chamber Business
• Members of the House
• How'd They Vote?